BUSINESS DIGEST || Shale panel meets

Shale panel meets

YOUNGSTOWN

County leaders met Tuesday for the inaugural Mahoning County Shale Initiative Committee meeting.

Among the discussion points were addressing emergency response situations, chemical-disclosure guidelines and road- maintenance repairs.

The group plans to meet on a quarterly basis.

The next meeting likely will feature a representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Taxation and a representative from Medina County, which has a similar committee.

Bank-branch move

YOUNGSTOWN

PNC Bank’s last operating day at 16 Wick Ave. in Youngstown will be March 9.

PNC Bank is moving to City Center One Building, 100 E. Federal St., and will be open for business at the new location beginning March 12.

Customers with safe- deposit boxes need to remove their belongings by 1 p.m. March 2.

Questions may be directed to PNC by calling 888-255-9513.

PUCO OKs purchase

COLUMBUS

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved an agreement Tuesday allowing Aqua Ohio to purchase 100 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Ohio American Water for about $88.5 million.

PUCO anticipates that Aqua Ohio eventually will seek approval to consolidate the operations of the two utilities, but Ohio American customers initially will continue to be served by Ohio American at current rates.

Ohio American’s application for a rate increase is pending.

Ohio American provides water service to 50,903 and sewer service to 6,554 customers in Ohio. Aqua Ohio serves about 88,000 water customers.

Acquisition complete

PITTSBURGH

RTI International Metals Inc. has completed its acquisition of Remmele Engineering Inc., a precision-machining and collaborative-engineering company.

“The Remmele acquisition provides RTI with significant growth opportunities that will allow us to expand our portfolio to meet the evolving needs of customers,” said Dawne S. Hickton, vice chairman, president and CEO of RTI.

RTI acquired Remmelle from Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison Inc. for about $182 million.

Solar-energy event

CANFIELD

Valley Energy Solutions will host a free community event on solar-energy grants and tax incentives at 7 p.m. today at the Mill Creek MetroParks Building, McMahon Hall, on state Route 46.

The class is targeted for farmers, rural business owners and homeowners and will discuss how to leverage 2012 state and federal tax incentives and U.S. Department of Agriculture grants for affordable solar projects.

To register, contact Dan Quinlan at 330-702-0147, or visit www.valleyenergysolutions.com.

Valley Energy Solutions is a Salem-based business that performs energy-efficiency work, solar and solar-thermal installations.

Vindicator staff/wire reports